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Bulgarian political controversy involving Bozhidar Bozhanov

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2026-10-22 08:42 UTC → 2026-10-23 06:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In October 2026, political tensions rose in Bulgaria involving Bozhidar Bozhanov, co-chairman of Democratic Bulgaria. Bozhanov accused the ruling authorities of attempting to cover up a scandal regarding pardons granted by Vice President Iliana Yotova to drug traffickers, including an individual known as the ‘Pirin Escobar’. He called for an inspection of the Pardon Commission, alleging inconsistent criteria and a lack of expertise. Concurrently, Acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova requested that the National Assembly lift Bozhanov’s parliamentary immunity to allow criminal proceedings regarding an alleged crime of office to continue in the Sofia City Court. Bozhanov characterized the prosecution as a “targeted” action designed to interfere with his pre-election campaign, though he stated his intention to waive his immunity once the request is formally processed. Specific details of the indictment indicate that the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office is seeking to resume proceedings related to an alleged crime of office under Article 282 of the Penal Code. The allegations stem from Bozhanov’s tenure as Minister of Electronic Governance between May and June 2022, during which he is accused of violating duties related to the Law on Protection of Classified Information and internal public procurement rules. While the criminal proceedings were suspended on September 1, 2026, following his acquisition of immunity as a deputy, Bozhanov has dismissed the prosecution as “order-made” and politically motivated, reiterating his intent to waive immunity voluntarily to expedite the case.

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